Dickinson run/walk held in memory of students

DICKINSON, N.D. 
Dickinson State University athletes are remembering three teammates who drowned after their vehicle went into a livestock pond earlier this month.

About 70 people and four dogs took part Saturday in a 5K run/walk in memory of softball players Kyrstin Gemar, Afton Williamson and Ashley Neufeld.

Jamie Swetalla of Bakersfield, Calif., is a member of Dickinson State's cross-country team and one of the event's organizers. She said all the Dickinson State teams want to do "a little bit of something" in memory of the three women.

The women's bodies were found Nov. 3 in their submerged sport utility vehicle north of Dickinson. A preliminary autopsy report showed they drowned. Gemar was from San Diego, Williamson was from Lake Elsinore, Calif., and Neufeld was from Brandon, Manitoba.

Organizers said Saturday's event raised more than $1,000. Some will go to an account set up to help the women's families.